Election 2016 & Populism

The unexpected success of Trump in 2016 shows that the forces of populism have emerged again, warts and all. In 2008 Obama tapped them (thematically) with his Hope and Change campaign, but became conventional once in office. Now the torch passes to an unconventional and outsider politician with no obvious qualifications for the office.

The Trump campaign is a serious political movement, unlike Occupy and the Tea Party, with organization and leadership. The crowds are not dressed up as unicorns or 18th century patriots. Sneers, mockery, and funny pictures about him will not derail his campaign or put populism back in the bottle.

Trump probably will lose in November 2016. But the rise of populism will continue. It can help or hurt us, largely depending on how we understand its roots and respond. Populism provides an opportunity not to be squandered, since we have so few of them in these dark days. Let’s not leave it to Trump — and his probably scarier and more successful successors.